Each site was evaluated once a week for three consecutive weeks. At each visit a water sample was collected to test various chemical data to verify the health of the stream. Each sample was also obtained at the same relative location, mid depth, midstream to ensure accuracy in comparison between data. Samples were collected in whirl packs and placed in coolers to prevent abnormal bacterial growth due to heat or another external force. Once samples safely reached the lab, the samples were pippetted onto 3 plates along with a control plate of distilled water. This process occurred 3 times creating a comparison of 9 plates and 3 control plates which were incubated for approximately twenty-four hours.
The data below shows the bacterial data collected at Long Island site 3A.
Samples
June 12, 2012: The day prior to our initial analysis site 3A saw relatively heavy rain. In correlation site 3A's was found to have a large amount of coliform with an average count of 3500 for E.coli (cfu/100mL).Site 3A was three and a half times the 30-Day Geometric Mean standard set by Adopt-A-Stream drinking water requiring treatment. Allowing one to assume the water would not be safe for recreational use.
June 12th Coliform Results
Bacterial Plate #1
Bacterial Plate # 2
Bacterial Plate #3
June 19, 2012: No rain on or before the date of the second data collection. There was a moderate amount of coliform found and an average count of 1633.33 for E.coli (cfu/100mL). It however, was a significant decrease from the 1st bacterial test.
June 19th Coliform Results
Bacterial Plate # 1
Bacterial Plate # 2
Bacterial Plate # 3
June 26, 2012: Again there was no rainfall the day prior to this sample being collected. There was a moderate amount of coliform found and an average count of 733.33 for E.coli (cfu/100mL).
June 26th Coliform Results
Bacterial Plate # 1
Bacterial Plate # 2
Bacterial Plate # 3
Conclusion
As the data clearly indicates, there was a sharp decline in the quanitity of E.coli in this specific portion of the Chattahoochee Watershed. If you are to examine the data the most poignant realization is that the bacteria tested decreased by almost half every week. Our group has theorized on the possible explanations for such a significant decrease. June 12th 2012 was the commencement date for the quality analysis and that particular day saw the aftermath of intermittent rain from the previous day. This rain contributed to the non source point pollution which increased the levels of bacertial presence and the lack of rain that followed allowed for the stream to decrease the E.coli. Main PageSiteMapStreamWaterUrban EcologyConclusionHome PageResults
Procedure
Each site was evaluated once a week for three consecutive weeks. At each visit a water sample was collected to test various chemical data to verify the health of the stream. Each sample was also obtained at the same relative location, mid depth, midstream to ensure accuracy in comparison between data. Samples were collected in whirl packs and placed in coolers to prevent abnormal bacterial growth due to heat or another external force. Once samples safely reached the lab, the samples were pippetted onto 3 plates along with a control plate of distilled water. This process occurred 3 times creating a comparison of 9 plates and 3 control plates which were incubated for approximately twenty-four hours.
The data below shows the bacterial data collected at Long Island site 3A.
Samples
June 12th Coliform Results
June 19th Coliform Results
June 26, 2012: Again there was no rainfall the day prior to this sample being collected. There was a moderate amount of coliform found and an average count of 733.33 for E.coli (cfu/100mL).
June 26th Coliform Results
Conclusion
As the data clearly indicates, there was a sharp decline in the quanitity of E.coli in this specific portion of the Chattahoochee Watershed. If you are to examine the data the most poignant realization is that the bacteria tested decreased by almost half every week. Our group has theorized on the possible explanations for such a significant decrease. June 12th 2012 was the commencement date for the quality analysis and that particular day saw the aftermath of intermittent rain from the previous day. This rain contributed to the non source point pollution which increased the levels of bacertial presence and the lack of rain that followed allowed for the stream to decrease the E.coli.Main Page Site Map Stream Water Urban Ecology Conclusion Home Page Results